The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-07-10
KING OF BABY KIssERA.
The Greatest Effort in the Life or . Popular
Maryland Congressman.

Congressman Lewis E. McComas Of the
Sixth Maryland district was noticeable figure
at the Gilsey House yesterday. He has gained
some reputation as q legislator. but his chief
title to fame rests on the fact that he Is the
champion baby kisser south OF Mason and
Dixon's line He has. during his eight years in
public life reduced baby kissing to fine art.
and to his skill in this art are mainly due his
election and reelection to Congress. Before
Mr.. McComas became the Republican standard
bearer eight years ago. the Sixth district had
gone regularly Democratic. Since that time
the Republicans have carried 1t.
Mr.. McComas did not invent baby kissing as
a campaign art Statesmen have practsied 1t
from the first days Of the republic. But to him
is due the honor of bringing it to q state Of
perfection.
The average seeker Of votes goes about kiss
ing promiscuous babies with oil the hilarity
which would mark his approach to the dentists
chair He folds his hands behind his back.
closes his eyes. clinches his teeth as II deter
mined to die hard. ducks his head. and, as gen.
erai thing. bumps against the little ones nose
and raises howl
Mr. McComas's modus operandi Is as different
from this bungling as Meissonier Is from
schoolgirls daub. He goes about the opera
ton as II It were thing Of perennial Joy. No
matter how dirty or how sore-faced the baby
or how much It scratches and squeals, he man
ages to throw into the kiss an amount Of ten
derness that Is sure to win the parents hearts.
Here Ia the operation in detail. as testified to
0T Flss s X! stands over the
baby, and beams on it With his large tender
a. 81 BY snac
s e p !hs desssssS sssss
ton he hods 'front.' Sn Of pS Elm 1s2S
hsn his head Ss asss s
about suspend ths asppins q their xings. =
Eressmsns breast. low, sweet. lingering.
honey-spgeeSting smack IL heard-and the
The child Is again pressed to the manly boz
som and the final movs-perhaps the most i'm
portant Of all-is made Before handing the
Gex th T In the
world, and then fixes his eyes on the parents
With an ssd III % sssf n,0
are the parent Of this little ANGEL How do
to the act when the vote Of the iather" Of the
baby Is very doubtful This scene consists Of
s sG
back to the little one ana take iinai kiss. Any
hn e ID The q the
uEss nass 9s HSs %o sa
blink. The greatest test to which this facial
the FredericI county fair In Maryland. st the
time Nj. MOCemas was having a hard fight for
shf Ss!
sttendsd ths FREDERICK fair and sstsled down
equal success. Mooo@as ' had found i foem man
toward tn the '. end Of the day. however, the
terrible test. About the same time they came
hldeous red face and sore lips would deter the
braVest Of men from approaching 1t. Col.
hands With the said thSss
tprs q baby, As he E. dld 50 psresptbIs9
brave Colonel With EGO It, vieI III WON'T mt
FOR h. took the child In bis arms and Prepared
Tor the deed this s%s large
Mcto%ass men Who We're willing will 70 let Il freely
that Baughman would not have the nerve to
The Colonel glanced at the baby again;
again he shuddered, and again look 81 de-
termip e., came Into his face Finally he
head iall1but alas! before his lips reached the
comprehensible instinct which impels men to
look upon the most repuisiye objects, took
another glance at the baby. This time II was
toe, much for him; She grew pale, trembled,
trollable expression OF loathinR.
Just then McComas came up, and the crowd
bent forward with GREATNESS interest to see
how the second knight would bear himself In
the arena. BAughman stood near by the most
Interested q all Bets Of fiye to one that Nc
Congressman first did the beaming act as
usual, then the pressing act then the HORIZON
tai act: but here he grew pale. and q shade Of
terror crept into his melting smile. Would he
succumb like his rival2 Would no turn In dis
face?
Look He beams once more; his head slow
ly descends In the usual way; there Is the GUS
tomary agonizlng pause. and-ah. yesl all hon
or to thee. bold Mocpmas;Ithere Il heard the
licanB break into suppressed cheer BauHh-
man and his followers retire discounted. Me-
ComAs Was elected TO Congress.
When the Congressman was asked By . re-
Il managed to kiss the baqV-but-Or-I'1 DO
id " hhnk0rod Alter ~